Infineon Raceway Inducts NHRA's Johnson Into Wall of Fame

SONOMA, Calif. July 19, 2005; Legendary racer Warren Johnson will
be honored at the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals at Infineon Raceway by
becoming the first-ever drag racer to be inducted into the raceway's
Wall of Fame.

 

Johnson, who will retire from the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series
following the 2005 season, will be formally inducted into the Wall of
Fame during pre-race ceremonies on Sunday, July 31, of race weekend
(July 29-31). The race weekend is presented by Supercuts.

 

Johnson has truly been a legend in the sport, evidenced by his six Pro
Stock division championships, 95 career victories and NHRA-record 134
No. 1 qualifying positions. At 58 (in 2001), he became the oldest driver
to win an NHRA world championship, and he has placed outside the top 10
in NHRA points just three times since 1975.

 

Johnson has also been dominant at Infineon Raceway with three Pro Stock
division championships (1992, '96 '98), tying him for the track record
in Pro Stock with Darrell Alderman and Jim Yates. Overall, he has had
five final-round appearances at Infineon Raceway since 1989. Johnson
will join NASCAR drivers Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin in the Wall of
Fame.

 

"Warren Johnson is precisely the kind of competitor we had in mind when
we introduced the concept of the Wall of Fame," said Steve Page,
president and general manager of Infineon Raceway. "He has had a huge
impact on the sport of professional drag racing and he has had
phenomenal success at this track. We are very proud to include him among
the inaugural inductees."

 

Johnson will be presented with a granite plaque by Page during pre-race
ceremonies. The plaque will be etched with Johnson's likeness. It will
also include the form of motor racing (NHRA) as well as date of
induction. The plaque will be on display in the Wall of Fame, which will
be constructed behind the main grandstand and will be open to the
public. The creation of a Wall of Fame was announced at the Dodge/Save
Mart 350 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series weekend this past June.

 

The Wall of Fame will include competitors from all forms of motor racing
at Infineon Raceway, including NASCAR, NHRA POWERade Drag Racing,
American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), open-wheel cars, sports cars,
and more. It will also include those who have made significant
contributions to the raceway over the years. A raceway committee will
oversee the selection process on an annual basis.